VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Nov. 24, 2015
VATICAN CITY
The controversial and extraordinary Vatican trial of three employees and two Italian journalists over publication of leaked documents got underway Tuesday with strong protestations from the journalists that the trial violates their rights as recognized in Italy, Europe, and by the United Nations.
The organization that represents every journalist accredited at the Vatican also issued a rare public statement on the trial Tuesday morning, expressing “consternation and worry” that the two colleagues are facing prosecution for doing “exactly their work.”
The trial, which opened in the morning with a 70-minute initial hearing in a Vatican courtroom, relates to books recently released by Emiliano Fittipaldi and Gianluigi Nuzzi, titled Avarizia (“Greed”) and Merchants in the Temple, respectively.
Both books outline instances of questionable Vatican spending and financial practices, citing leaked documents.
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